You can bake the yams 3 to 4 days before making the mash. After baking, cool and peel potatoes and refrigerate until ready to mash. For a real time-saver, make this dish ahead and transfer it to an oven-safe casserole. Just before serving, add a generous sprinkle of brown sugar over the top and place in the oven to heat. I like to garnish the potatoes with a handful of sun-dried cranberries.

Ingredients

4tablespoons unsalted butter or soy margarine, melted

1/2cup maple syrup

1/4cup orange juice

1tablespoon dried orange peel

2teaspoons cinnamon

2tablespoons grated ginger root

1/4cup light cream

5pounds warm, peeled and cooked sweet potatoes or yams*

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except potatoes in a small saucepan and allow to blend. Place potatoes in a bowl and mash. Fold in melted butter mixture and continue to mash with a potato masher or whisk.

Note: To cook sweet potatoes or yams: Bake in a 375F oven 35 to 40 minutes until tender. Cool slightly before peeling and mashing.